求学 (qiú xué) literally means 'to seek learning' — 求 (qiú) means 'to seek, to pursue', and 学 (xué) means 'to study' or 'learning'. Together, the compound expresses the intentional, often long-term effort of pursuing formal education or academic knowledge, especially at higher levels such as university or graduate school. It emphasizes purpose, dedication, and personal initiative in acquiring knowledge.

This term is commonly used in contexts describing someone’s educational journey — for example, studying abroad, enrolling in a prestigious program, or returning to school after work. It carries a respectful, slightly formal tone and is frequently found in essays, speeches, biographies, and news reports about students or scholars. Unlike the more neutral word 学习 (xuéxí), 求学 implies aspiration and commitment, often with an element of sacrifice or distance (e.g., leaving home to study elsewhere).